The Utah Black Diamonds, a premier-level team within Major League Pickleball, is partnering with GCTM Investments to bring a $25 million pickleball center to Salt Lake Valley, UT, marking the first “high-performance facility with a dedicated home base of a professional pickleball team.”
The facility will be home to Utah’s Major League Pickleball team and serve as a high-end pickleball club for players of all levels. The center, powered by The Picklr, designers of indoor facilities, will also be used as a high-end club for pickleball players of all levels, reports Sporting Goods Business.
“At The Picklr, we are dedicated to growing the sport of pickleball by providing unparalleled access and exceptional experiences. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to enhancing the pickleball community, offering an all-encompassing hub for training, competition and enjoyment of the game,” said Jorge Barragan, CEO and co-founder of The Picklr.
“The Utah Black Diamonds are leading the charge in dedicating time and resources to grow the sport and advance the level of play for its professionals, and we cannot be more excited to bring this one-of-a-kind facility to life,” said Connor Pardoe, owner of the Utah Black Diamonds and founder and CEO of the Professional Pickleball Association.
The Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center will be located in South Jordan, south of Salt Lake City off of I-15, and feature:
- 36 pickleball courts (30 indoor and 6 outdoor),
- A 1,500-seat championship court with VIP box seating,
- Two grandstand courts each with 500 seats,
- A gym and recovery center with cold plunges, steam rooms, saunas and other amenities,
- A café, bar and social centers, and
- A Pickleball Central Pro Shop.
“This is a seminal moment in pickleball for both the professional and amateur levels to be able to construct and operate the first home base dedicated to high-performance pickleball training and competition,” said Connor Pardoe, owner of the Utah Black Diamonds and founder and CEO of the Professional Pickleball Association. “The Utah Black Diamonds are leading the charge in dedicating time and resources to grow the sport and advance the level of play for its professionals, and we cannot be more excited to bring this one-of-a-kind facility to life.”
The Picklr will partner with The Utah Black Diamonds to operate the Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center, reports SGB. Programming for the 2,500 members of all ages and levels will include open play, clinics, tournaments, league play, ladders, and more. Members can access the pro-style courts and all of the club’s perks and amenities with unlimited pickleball play for one price, just like the 300-plus Picklr locations under construction in the U.S.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Utah Black Diamonds to launch this pioneering facility, which represents a significant milestone not just for professional pickleball but for enthusiasts at every level. The Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center will set a new standard for professional pickleball with its state-of-the-art design and comprehensive amenities that cater to both the casual player and the professional athlete,” said Jorge Barragan, CEO and co-founder of The Picklr. “At The Picklr, we are dedicated to growing the sport of pickleball by providing unparalleled access and exceptional experiences. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to enhancing the pickleball community, offering an all-encompassing hub for training, competition, and enjoyment of the game.”
Construction of the Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center will being in October 2024 and has a planned completion date in 2025.